Larry D. Heiss

Kearney — Larry Dean Heiss, 87, of Kearney, and lifelong resident of Page, died Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

Visitation was held Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a prayer service.

Memorial services were held Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024 at the Page United Methodist Church in Page. Pastor Matt Fowler officiated.

Burial was in the Page Cemetery in Page.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Larry was born June 18, 1937 in Page to Harold and Florence (Cullen) Heiss.  He attended school in Page and graduated from Page High School in 1954.

Larry had a passion for basketball; his 1,941 points scored during his high school career is still listed on the Nebraska State scoring record holders for most career points. In 1956, after a year attending college at Nebraska Wesleyan, he returned to the family farm and started farming with his father. Larry loved farming and was a hard worker. Larry was a creative problem solver. His homemade motorized ice cream machine made short work of chocolate ice cream and his circulating tank water idea was published in the Successful Farming Magazine.

In 1957, he asked a local high school senior, Linda Cronk, to the Holt County Basketball Tournament. Their first basketball game date would turn into countless basketball and baseball games during their 65-year marriage. On summer Sunday and Wednesday nights, Larry would be found playing town team baseball. In the winter he would be on a basketball court with the National Guard team.

On June 24, 1959, Larry and Linda were married on a Wednesday evening in the Page United Methodist Church. According to family legend, they got married on Wednesday because Larry returned home from National Guard Officer Candidate School and they just couldn't wait for the weekend. To this union, three children were born Nadine, Tracy and Steven.

After farming for 26 years, Larry and Linda moved to O'Neill where he worked for John Deere Implement until he retired in 2006. Over the years, Larry enjoyed many hobbies, including hunting and fishing, gardening (including trying to grow the largest pumpkin for a contest), woodworking and raising pheasants.

In 2017 Larry and Linda moved to Kearney to be close to their three children. Larry enjoyed cheering on grandchildren at their many sporting events. Larry and Linda have 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Larry was a lifelong member of the Page United Methodist Church. He was on the Page School Board and he served in the National Guard for seven years and in 1966 received an honorable discharge with the rank of staff sergeant. 

Larry was hospitalized after a fall and passed away in the hospital surrounded by his family.

Larry is survived by his wife of 65 years Linda Heiss; his sister Lois Heiss Asher; two daughters Nadine Heiss and Tracy Heiss; one son Steven (Krista) Heiss; 10 grandchildren Dane (Erin) Berger, Steven (Krista) Trujillo, Kelly Trujillo Hamilton, Anthony Trujillo, Katherine Wheeler, Kristian Wheeler, Kolby Wheeler, Tyler (Hannah) Heiss, Rachel Heiss and Jack Heiss; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Florence Heiss, one brother Richard Heiss and one sister Nancy Heiss Fink.